Hi, I am determined to photograph kingfishers this year without falling foul of protection laws. On this basis I wondered which RSPB resort I am more likely to realise this ambition? and best time of year.
Although I am located in Hampshire, I am willing to travel. A reserve with a kingfisher hide would be ideal, but allows me to shoot fairly close. Any help/advice much appreciated.
Slimbridge has a Kingfisher hide, with a Kingfisher friendly habitat built especially outside.
Strumpshaw Fen in Norfolk was fantastic for viewing them last year.
You just need to find a suitable habitat really. Fast flowiing, shallow water, with plenty of overhanging branches. My brother see's them regularly near his home in Ross on Wye.
Ant
"IT IS SAID THAT LIFE FLASHES BEFORE YOUR EYES BEFORE YOU DIE. THAT IS TRUE, IT'S CALLED LIVING."Death - Terry Pratchett (The Last Continent).
hampshire eh ?? have you tried walking from the white swan pub to woodmill along the river itchen, i walk it often with my dog and have seen a kingfisher several times but you d have to be quick and have a decent lens , hope this helps....ooops just to add, apparently it has a feeding perch that can be observed from the pub, very handy lol
i've seen kingfishers on the lake at Alice Holt before
what goes around comes around!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/guyfrankland/sets/72157623175917620/show/
Thank you for all the helpful suggestions. I will examine them all. I was especially keen on the hide idea so I manage to gain more than fleeting glimpses as has been the case thus far. I will also check out the Itchen. Any further suggestions most welcome. Has anyone tried Rye Meads reserve?
oceanwaves said: Thank you for all the helpful suggestions. I will examine them all. I was especially keen on the hide idea so I manage to gain more than fleeting glimpses as has been the case thus far. I will also check out the Itchen. Any further suggestions most welcome. Has anyone tried Rye Meads reserve?
Hi oceanwaves
I recommend Rye Meads as a good reserve to go to see kingfishers. You are almost guaranteed to see one during the breeding season.
I live in Berkshire, and it's not too bad a journey.
You can find out more about Rye Meads (or any other RSPB reserves) under the Groups tab top right
Best wishes Chris
Click Here to see my photos
Rye Meads has a hide overlooking a small pond with a Kingfisher nesting bank on the side and suitable perches in the water. Great photo opportunities. I've only been to the reserve once, and that was well after the last brood had fledged, but there were still Kingfishers around and I managed a few pics:
My local reserve, Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve in NW Kent, can be good for Kingfishers. especially in summer. This one was on a perch right in front of the Carter Hide - light not ideal but it was almost close enough to touch :)
My blog: http://mazzaswildside.blogspot.co.uk/
My Flickr page: https://www.flickr.com/photos/124028194@N04/
Hi aiki
That kingfisher close-up is an absolutely stonking photo. Well done you!! :-)
Now they are the sort of shots I am after. Fab. Were both those taken at Sevenoaks?
Thanks, Woodpecker :)
Oceanwaves, the first pic was at Rye Meads, the second at Sevenoaks.